Synchrophasor measurements have gradually gained acceptance since their invention in the 1980s. Major blackouts have given great emphasis to this technique due to the need for better disturbance analysis and more situational awareness. The main application for these measurements is disturbance analysis, and it is a well established practice in the WECC. Displays for situational awareness are quickly moving into practice, but are still not considered "essential". State estimation with phasor data is also moving into common use. Controls have been prototyped and demonstrated with success. More
Until recently, synchronized phasor measurements were available only from laboratory equipment or from expensive stand-alone phasor measurement units. The expense and need for separate equipment have limited the utility of synchrophasors. Today, when you buy many microprocessor relays or meters, you get synchronous phasor measurement capabilities for free! You can even get firmware upgrades to add synchrophasor capabilities for many existing relays, further extending the reach of synchrophasors. More